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matatuman
#711 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 11:08:42 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/5/2013
Posts: 224
tnai9 wrote:
junior121121 wrote:

@nia9 – thanks. Be encouraged. It’s a business that can make you money. I was lucky to get some guidance. To answer your questions
1)New complete mat is either 4.3/4.7 which is for NPR/NQR. You can get slightly cheaper if you buy chasis and give to bodybuilder (I prefer CFG as opposed to the others as they have a sturdy body). KCI is the best though but a lot more expensive. With regards to mannyanga – can go up to 6m (Really depends on what you wanna do – I have seen one that even has business class seats in Rongai )
* My advise – KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Go overboard on your third or fourth mat. For your first one just get some airbrushing and music – budget about 200k
2) Supped up one makes more as mentioned earlier. They don’t line up so can do more “squads”
3) You can finance with the banks (NIC best) or other bank. Two others are looking to join and make it happen so look into it.
4)There is no such thing as “stress free management” – even Buffet/Gates don’t have this. You need to find a good manager. The SACCOS will not do this for you. They will assist with TLB’s/ cops to an extent/ insurance claims etc but not day to day management of your vehicles. Get involved in your first year. I have a full time job and manage but you need to be able to tell the “stories” from the truth. Whats more you get to know the other owners on your route – we really tend to help each other out.


Applause Applause Applause
This is so so encouraging and invaluable. I got a partner already, a friend we have been discussing this biz and procrastinating but we have to do it now- met yesterday. He is kinda versed as he has two shuttles already + your invaluable info here really encouraged me to go it. Thinking diversification and already have a sketch of what we will do. We wont manage raising all the 5M so will do part financing.
Do you know anything about Choda fabricators?


Glad this has come up...I.e Choda. Asked a while back and no one responded. If you ask me keep it simple. On the Umoja route, we have NYPD with a simple body from Dodi yet it outperforms hotcakes like Lacoste despite being a KBX.

My opinion, I suspect Choda bodies are heavy based on my experience as a passenger in a couple of them. Lots of filler used to hide metal. If that's the case, they could be chewing wheels at an alarming rate. A situation that can be made worse by those alloy rims they fit as "wheel caps" coz tyres aren't balanced. I could be wrong but I would like to here from someone who owns a bus with a Choda body.
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tnai9
#712 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 2:06:47 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 6/21/2010
Posts: 345
Location: easto
matatuman wrote:

Glad this has come up...I.e Choda. Asked a while back and no one responded. If you ask me keep it simple. On the Umoja route, we have NYPD with a simple body from Dodi yet it outperforms hotcakes like Lacoste despite being a KBX.

My opinion, I suspect Choda bodies are heavy based on my experience as a passenger in a couple of them. Lots of filler used to hide metal. If that's the case, they could be chewing wheels at an alarming rate. A situation that can be made worse by those alloy rims they fit as "wheel caps" coz tyres aren't balanced. I could be wrong but I would like to here from someone who owns a bus with a Choda body.


My partner was proposing Choda solely because he is able to 'fast track' the body fabrication so that we can have the mat by like March. I didn't hear him mention anything about body specifics like weight/strength etc. I will find out more about this on the ummoiner route. Lacoste is from Choda and NYPD from Dodi? I see them but never been keen.
"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence." ― Charles Bukowski
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  | | Edit by user: Wednesday, January 06, 2016 2:17 PM | Reason: Not specified
matatuman
#713 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 5:11:52 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/5/2013
Posts: 224
tnai9 wrote:
matatuman wrote:

Glad this has come up...I.e Choda. Asked a while back and no one responded. If you ask me keep it simple. On the Umoja route, we have NYPD with a simple body from Dodi yet it outperforms hotcakes like Lacoste despite being a KBX.

My opinion, I suspect Choda bodies are heavy based on my experience as a passenger in a couple of them. Lots of filler used to hide metal. If that's the case, they could be chewing wheels at an alarming rate. A situation that can be made worse by those alloy rims they fit as "wheel caps" coz tyres aren't balanced. I could be wrong but I would like to here from someone who owns a bus with a Choda body.


My partner was proposing Choda solely because he is able to 'fast track' the body fabrication so that we can have the mat by like March. I didn't hear him mention anything about body specifics like weight/strength etc. I will find out more about this on the ummoiner route. Lacoste is from Choda and NYPD from Dodi? I see them but never been keen.


Please do and share your findings. Choda also happens to be more expensive. The name is DUST not NYPD, a brownish bus.
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junior121121
#714 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 7:39:47 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 11/9/2015
Posts: 56
tnai9 wrote:
junior121121 wrote:

@nia9 – thanks. Be encouraged. It’s a business that can make you money. I was lucky to get some guidance. To answer your questions
1)New complete mat is either 4.3/4.7 which is for NPR/NQR. You can get slightly cheaper if you buy chasis and give to bodybuilder (I prefer CFG as opposed to the others as they have a sturdy body). KCI is the best though but a lot more expensive. With regards to mannyanga – can go up to 6m (Really depends on what you wanna do – I have seen one that even has business class seats in Rongai )
* My advise – KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Go overboard on your third or fourth mat. For your first one just get some airbrushing and music – budget about 200k
2) Supped up one makes more as mentioned earlier. They don’t line up so can do more “squads”
3) You can finance with the banks (NIC best) or other bank. Two others are looking to join and make it happen so look into it.
4)There is no such thing as “stress free management” – even Buffet/Gates don’t have this. You need to find a good manager. The SACCOS will not do this for you. They will assist with TLB’s/ cops to an extent/ insurance claims etc but not day to day management of your vehicles. Get involved in your first year. I have a full time job and manage but you need to be able to tell the “stories” from the truth. Whats more you get to know the other owners on your route – we really tend to help each other out.


Applause Applause Applause
This is so so encouraging and invaluable. I got a partner already, a friend we have been discussing this biz and procrastinating but we have to do it now- met yesterday. He is kinda versed as he has two shuttles already + your invaluable info here really encouraged me to go it. Thinking diversification and already have a sketch of what we will do. We wont manage raising all the 5M so will do part financing.
Do you know anything about Choda fabricators?



Good stuff. Go for it. I don't know about Choda. I have some from Dodi and rest from CFG - CFG a lot better.
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matatuman
#715 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 7:55:04 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/5/2013
Posts: 224
@Junior, What is your take on the ready made bodies by GB Polo? Also Hino vs Isuzu? On paper the Hino appears to be better I.e power & consumption.
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junior121121
#716 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 8:01:06 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 11/9/2015
Posts: 56
matatuman wrote:
tnai9 wrote:
junior121121 wrote:

@nia9 – thanks. Be encouraged. It’s a business that can make you money. I was lucky to get some guidance. To answer your questions
1)New complete mat is either 4.3/4.7 which is for NPR/NQR. You can get slightly cheaper if you buy chasis and give to bodybuilder (I prefer CFG as opposed to the others as they have a sturdy body). KCI is the best though but a lot more expensive. With regards to mannyanga – can go up to 6m (Really depends on what you wanna do – I have seen one that even has business class seats in Rongai )
* My advise – KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Go overboard on your third or fourth mat. For your first one just get some airbrushing and music – budget about 200k
2) Supped up one makes more as mentioned earlier. They don’t line up so can do more “squads”
3) You can finance with the banks (NIC best) or other bank. Two others are looking to join and make it happen so look into it.
4)There is no such thing as “stress free management” – even Buffet/Gates don’t have this. You need to find a good manager. The SACCOS will not do this for you. They will assist with TLB’s/ cops to an extent/ insurance claims etc but not day to day management of your vehicles. Get involved in your first year. I have a full time job and manage but you need to be able to tell the “stories” from the truth. Whats more you get to know the other owners on your route – we really tend to help each other out.


Applause Applause Applause
This is so so encouraging and invaluable. I got a partner already, a friend we have been discussing this biz and procrastinating but we have to do it now- met yesterday. He is kinda versed as he has two shuttles already + your invaluable info here really encouraged me to go it. Thinking diversification and already have a sketch of what we will do. We wont manage raising all the 5M so will do part financing.
Do you know anything about Choda fabricators?


Glad this has come up...I.e Choda. Asked a while back and no one responded. If you ask me keep it simple. On the Umoja route, we have NYPD with a simple body from Dodi yet it outperforms hotcakes like Lacoste despite being a KBX.

My opinion, I suspect Choda bodies are heavy based on my experience as a passenger in a couple of them. Lots of filler used to hide metal. If that's the case, they could be chewing wheels at an alarming rate. A situation that can be made worse by those alloy rims they fit as "wheel caps" coz tyres aren't balanced. I could be wrong but I would like to here from someone who owns a bus with a Choda body.


Hi Matatuman,

I tend to agree with you. By the way this is one of the reasons why I don't like Dodi's Body - its full of filler. The CFG bodies are more metallic and chuma - a lot lighter which makes it better.

Cant comment on Choda as I don't know their work very well - I know KCI/Dodi and CFG.


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junior121121
#717 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 8:03:12 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 11/9/2015
Posts: 56
tnai9 wrote:
matatuman wrote:

Glad this has come up...I.e Choda. Asked a while back and no one responded. If you ask me keep it simple. On the Umoja route, we have NYPD with a simple body from Dodi yet it outperforms hotcakes like Lacoste despite being a KBX.

My opinion, I suspect Choda bodies are heavy based on my experience as a passenger in a couple of them. Lots of filler used to hide metal. If that's the case, they could be chewing wheels at an alarming rate. A situation that can be made worse by those alloy rims they fit as "wheel caps" coz tyres aren't balanced. I could be wrong but I would like to here from someone who owns a bus with a Choda body.


My partner was proposing Choda solely because he is able to 'fast track' the body fabrication so that we can have the mat by like March. I didn't hear him mention anything about body specifics like weight/strength etc. I will find out more about this on the ummoiner route. Lacoste is from Choda and NYPD from Dodi? I see them but never been keen.



Try the others for price comparison also. CFG are normally able to give one of their vehicles if you buy direct. I ordered in Nov 29 and its out going for registration on Friday.
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junior121121
#718 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 8:06:47 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 11/9/2015
Posts: 56
matatuman wrote:
@Junior, What is your take on the ready made bodies by GB Polo? Also Hino vs Isuzu? On paper the Hino appears to be better I.e power & consumption.


Frankly - I like tried and tested. The average lifespan I like to keep the vehicles is like 5 years and then sell off and be able to retain some cash. Isuzu is excellent for this. For Example, I had a KBN in that I sold in Dec ( I had bought for 3.3 and sold for 2.1m. Granted that the VAT on chasis was recent but the isuzus tend to keep their value).

Hino is too new in the market for me to gauge this. I also find that they are aging too quick. Someone in my Sacco with one mentioned that they consume less - but the driver is the one who enjoys not the ownersmile
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And1589
#719 Posted : Wednesday, January 06, 2016 9:19:00 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 1/9/2009
Posts: 169
Location: Syokimau
@Junior121121 for the new entrants lemmi correct some figures from post number 692...the Kshs.160,000 to 180,000 earnings are gross for those with bank loans because the loan repayments can be as high as Kshs.125,000 per month(for a 3 year repayment period 70% financing of 3.45m)

Therefore take home before finishing up the loan will be about Kshs.40,000 to Kshs.60,000

The only way to beat high financing costs is to repay the loan in lumpsums as much as possible.
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enyands
#720 Posted : Thursday, January 07, 2016 8:25:27 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 12/25/2014
Posts: 2,301
Location: kenya
matatuman wrote:
kendata26Y wrote:
matatuman wrote:
mwania wrote:
Thank you Thitifini (Stephen?). I will avoid the petrol one. What are the returns for the diesel one? What expenses will you have paid for to get the net?


Thitifini, what route are you on? Petrols only made sense when the difference in price was close to 600k. But they are still as good as 5Ls, just do a decat, fit an aftermarket chip and have it remapped then buy me a beer.



Do you mind expounding on what this is and what the impact on fuel consumption is? I will gladly pay for the beer.


The de-cat basically gives you a high flow exhaust. Have the catalytic converter removed. Get a Unichip installed and get an eco tune done by one of the pro tuners. Only two in Nairobi. Simon Sharpe of Sharpe services in Karen or the master tuner himself Amit Pandya of AMS chip tuning.

Avoid Sharpe he works with some kalasinga who has a problem with dark skin. Last job he did for me was shoddy and they just don't care. AMS is pricy but they do a good job. Never had a van tuned at AMS, but they once did a Subaru for me.

Plus you might want to replace the oxygen sensor before the tune with a new one not second hand. Pombe si lazima so do not feel obliged.



@matatuman I'm not always on this thread of matatu but I ways curious.wewe ni mtu mwungwana .you r generous and wise.will look for you one day for help when ready
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